NL:
Matt Holliday
Esgreenblat: How do you prepare for the Home Run Derby?
You don't. I think that's the mistake I made last year. Coming out and trying to do to much, trying to hit home runs. If I just relax and swing the bat, home runs should come. If I thought participating had any impact on my swing, I wouldn't do it. But I play home run derby every day in batting practice.
RTapp: What do you think it will be like to play with Troy Tulowitzki again now that he's emerged as a superstar?
Great, batting in front of him I should get to see some heats. When he came up we all knew right away he was going to be special, he had the skills and the attitude and now he's matured. He's a star. Now I'm not a guy who thinks I do things so well I need to tell anyone, 'hey, you need to do this the way I do.' I'm not that great. But when I was with Tulo I saw we had a lot in common, the way he goes about his business and a lot of the same interests. It's a lot of fun to see him here.
TrapFly: How do you prepare for pitchers such as Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels? Do you take it one game at time or one at bat at time?
In this game, on any given night, any guy can be the toughest pitcher. I'm up there just trying to survive against anyone. Halladay, Lee, of course those guys are tough but in the NL Central alone there's plenty of guys you here about less who can give you just as much trouble. Gallardo, that's a guy. Johnny Cueto, he's turning into one of the toughest. And the bullpen guys bring it, too. Every day is a battle.
Brandon Phillips
MWDoss: What defensive Web Gem are you most proud of making, is it the between-the-legs play in Houston?
Wow, it has to be the first Web Gem I ever made, when I had just come up back in Cleveland. It wasn't between-the-legs or behind-the-back or anything like that. A ball hit to my left and I dove to keep it in front of me, spun and made the throw. That has to be the one because it was the first.
Cody Langdon: Do you ever think about what your lineup would be like if the Reds had kept Josh Hamilton?
I do, I do. But you have to realize that if we kept Hamilton, other things might not be the same. It wouldn't just be put Hamilton in there with Votto, Bruce, Stubbs and I. If we kept Hamilton, would we have ever gotten Bruce? Would everything else be the same? I don't know.
Boydeammon: What is your favorite part of the All-Star experience?
All of it. From the second you walk in until the game itself, you just shake your head. It's an awesome experience and a unbelievable to be part of.
Andrew: How does it feel to be teammates with Cardinals at the All-Star Game when you have such a heated rivalry with them?
It's great. I have nothing but respect for those guys. This is what we do, what we do as ballplayers. They're trying to win, we're trying to win. But we have nothing but respect. I've already gone over and said 'What's up' to Matt, Molina, all of them. It's nothing but respect.
Clayton Kershaw
MattAnderson: Who was your favorite team as kid and what is it like pitching against them?
I grew up in Dallas so I was always a Rangers fan. Will Clark and Palmeiro, those were my guys. I've actually never got to face Texas in the majors, but the first time I do it will be pretty cool. Especially if it's there.
Coolandy360: Were you always a pitcher or did you play other positions?
I played other positions a little. First base, I'm left-handed so there aren't too many places to stick me and I didn't have that many options. I was a very average hitter, even going all the way back.
Lalladdc15: What part of All-Star week are you most excited for?
All of it. But definitely the Home Run Derby. You watch that as a kid and to be here on the field for it is going to be pretty cool. We're all fans of the game and want to watch those guys put on a show.
baseballfreak_1125: What does it mean to be one of the youngest All-Stars here?
You know, I try not to think of it like that. I'm just here as a baseball player but it is pretty cool I guess. There's a lot of guys in this room I grew up watching play the game.